Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Boston Symphony Announces 75th Anniversary Season at Tanglewood

One of the most storied concerts in the history of the Tanglewood Festival took place on Aug. 12, 1937, when a violent thunderstorm broke out at the beginning of an all-Wagner program by the Boston Symphony. As rain poured on the enormous canvas tent under which the musicians played, even the Ride of the Valkyries couldn’t compete, and the concert was stopped several times. By the end, the tent was in tatters, audiences were soaked and the orchestra resolved to build a permanent shed, which stands to this day.

On July 21, 75 years later, the BSO will reproduce the program during the latest edition of the Tanglewood Music Festival -- though “hopefully without the storm,” said Mark Volpe, the orchestra’s managing director in an interview. The concert will be one of many special events planned for the 75th anniversary season, which runs from June 22 to Sept. 2 in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts.  Read More